Hamlet's Issue
Melendez, 1
Christopher Melendez
English 12
Period 8
6/6/14
Shakespeare’s Melancholy Prince
In William Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, prince Hamlet is tasked by the ghost of his deceased father to avenge his death by killing the new king, his uncle Claudius. Having been given these tasks, Hamlet seems to go out of his way to behave in a way that draws attention to himself, ignoring his primary objective. Hamlet’s inability to leave others out of his problems has sparked many debates between critics of the character and the play about his state of mind. However, it’s obvious to see that Hamlet cannot behave properly because of his mental illness, melancholia. Hamlet goes out of his way to worsen the relationships in his life, including his romantic and parental ones. Hamlet talking about suicide as if it were something he wanted, more than once, could easily be affiliated with a mental illness of some sort. Lastly, though Hamlet does finally finish what he was told to, he tends to lose focus the entire way there. Hamlet’s behavior is a reoccurring problem throughout the whole play, and, with the proof of the text, it is clear to see that he does not make an effort to better these situations and problem he is causing. However, it is in these situations where the true villain of the play is revealed: melancholia.
Melendez, 2
Hamlet’s troubled relationships are a reoccurring issue throughout the duration of the play. His romantic relationship with Ophelia is an example of his abnormal behavior caused by his mental illness. Ophelia noticed the young prince’s abnormal behavior, and was quite frightened by it. Her monologue states:
My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,
Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; No hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd, Ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ankle; Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other; And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosed out
Christopher Melendez
English 12
Period 8
6/6/14
Shakespeare’s Melancholy Prince
In William Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, prince Hamlet is tasked by the ghost of his deceased father to avenge his death by killing the new king, his uncle Claudius. Having been given these tasks, Hamlet seems to go out of his way to behave in a way that draws attention to himself, ignoring his primary objective. Hamlet’s inability to leave others out of his problems has sparked many debates between critics of the character and the play about his state of mind. However, it’s obvious to see that Hamlet cannot behave properly because of his mental illness, melancholia. Hamlet goes out of his way to worsen the relationships in his life, including his romantic and parental ones. Hamlet talking about suicide as if it were something he wanted, more than once, could easily be affiliated with a mental illness of some sort. Lastly, though Hamlet does finally finish what he was told to, he tends to lose focus the entire way there. Hamlet’s behavior is a reoccurring problem throughout the whole play, and, with the proof of the text, it is clear to see that he does not make an effort to better these situations and problem he is causing. However, it is in these situations where the true villain of the play is revealed: melancholia.
Melendez, 2
Hamlet’s troubled relationships are a reoccurring issue throughout the duration of the play. His romantic relationship with Ophelia is an example of his abnormal behavior caused by his mental illness. Ophelia noticed the young prince’s abnormal behavior, and was quite frightened by it. Her monologue states:
My lord, as I was sewing in my closet,
Lord Hamlet, with his doublet all unbraced; No hat upon his head; his stockings foul'd, Ungarter'd, and down-gyved to his ankle; Pale as his shirt; his knees knocking each other; And with a look so piteous in purport As if he had been loosed out